The River Arts district of Asheville, NC, before and after Hurricane Helene. Photo by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
Hurricane Helene has wreaked havoc on small businesses across western North Carolina. For many business owners, the financial impact goes far beyond the visible property damage. The loss of business income, disrupted operations, and unexpected economic damages can threaten the very survival of your business.
At a time like this, it’s essential to make sure that you are getting the full benefits from your insurance policy, including business interruption coverage. This is where forensic accounting comes in, helping to ensure that your claim reflects the true scope of your losses.
Understanding Your Insurance Coverage
As a small business owner, you may already have filed claims for property damage or inventory loss due to Hurricane Helene. However, it’s equally important to address the business interruption aspect of your insurance policy. Business interruption insurance is designed to cover the loss of business income that occurs when you’re forced to close or operate at a reduced capacity due to a disaster like a hurricane. But understanding exactly what’s covered under your policy—and making sure you’re compensated fairly—can be a complex process.
Your business interruption insurance can cover a variety of costs, including:
- Lost Business Income: The revenue you would have earned had the hurricane not disrupted your operations.
- Fixed Expenses: Costs like rent, payroll, and utilities that continue even when your business isn’t fully operational.
- Temporary Relocation Costs: If you need to move your business to a temporary location, those expenses may also be covered.
However, insurance companies often require detailed documentation and proof of losses before they issue a payout. Without expert guidance, some small business owners may find themselves settling for less than they deserve.
How Forensic Accounting Can Maximize Your Insurance Claim
This is where forensic accounting becomes crucial. At Red Bike Advisors, we specialize in helping small businesses maximize their insurance claims, including those related to hurricane damage claims and business interruption. Our forensic accountants provide a detailed analysis of your business’s financials to ensure that every aspect of your loss is accounted for.
Here’s how forensic accounting can help:
- Accurate Calculation of Lost Business Income: By reviewing your financial statements before and after the hurricane, we can calculate the exact loss of business income you’ve experienced. This includes factoring in seasonal trends, market conditions, and any growth your business was expecting before the disaster struck.
- Thorough Documentation of Fixed Expenses: Many business owners forget to include ongoing expenses like rent or payroll in their insurance claims. We make sure these costs are included in your claim, ensuring you’re compensated for every dollar lost.
By partnering with a forensic accounting firm, you can avoid common mistakes that lead to underpayments or denied claims. Insurance companies may challenge certain aspects of your claim, but with comprehensive documentation provided by forensic accountants, you’ll have the evidence needed to support your case and maximize your payout.
Moving Forward: Recovering From Business Loss
We understand how devastating it is to face such significant business losses due to Hurricane Helene. But with the right strategy and support, you can recover more quickly and minimize the financial damage. At Red Bike Advisors, we’ve helped countless businesses in situations just like yours navigate the complex process of filing insurance loss claims and recovering business interruption losses. Our goal is to ensure that you receive every dollar you’re entitled to under your insurance policy so that you can get back to what matters most—running your business.
Next Steps
If your small business has suffered due to Hurricane Helene, don’t leave your insurance payout to chance. Let Red Bike Advisors help you maximize your claim with our expert forensic accounting services. Contact us today to learn how we can help you recover your business loss and protect your financial future.
